Alberto Lejarraga is scoring wins both on and off the pitch. The Spanish goalkeeper, who plays in the country’s semi-professional men’s soccer league, recently tied the knot with his longtime partner, actor and musician Rubén Fernández, in a heartwarming wedding ceremony on Spain’s Costa del Sol.
The wedding was more than just a romantic milestone, it was a bold moment of LGBTQ visibility in a sport still grappling with inclusion.
Love in the Spotlight
Lejarraga, 30, made headlines in April 2023 when he casually came out on Instagram by posting a kiss with Fernández and thanking him for his support during a promotion campaign with Marbella FC. The moment marked the team’s rise to Spain’s Segunda B division and unexpectedly made Lejarraga a media figure in and beyond the soccer world.
While former U.S. pro Robbie Rogers came out and later married producer Greg Berlanti, Lejarraga is widely believed to be the first active male professional or semi-pro soccer player to marry a same-sex partner while still playing.
What started as a joyful social media post quickly evolved into international recognition, and, eventually, a shared wedding album celebrated around the world.
“A Great, Great Day”
The newlyweds recently jetted off to Japan for their honeymoon, but the buzz around their big day hasn’t quieted.
“It was a great, great day,” Lejarraga told Outsports, reflecting on the outpouring of love from family, friends, and fans.
Lejarraga emphasized that his coming out was never part of a formal plan, but that hiding no longer felt right. “It wouldn’t be fair to myself, and especially to my partner,” he told TVE. “I wanted to take the step.”
Career Milestones and a New Chapter
Lejarraga’s soccer journey hasn’t slowed either. At the end of the 2023–24 season, he celebrated another promotion with Marbella FC, this time to the third-tier Primera Federación. After signing a one-year contract extension and hitting his 100th appearance (with over 50 clean sheets to his name), Lejarraga transferred back to his hometown club, UD San Sebastián de los Reyes.
Though now playing again in Spain’s fourth tier, his impact continues to rise. In June, he appeared in The Courage to Be Visible, a Pride Month documentary spotlighting LGBTQ athletes in Spain. He joined fellow sports figures including Olympic figure skater Javier Raya, water polo player Víctor Gutiérrez, and race walking champion María Pérez to share candid stories of courage and representation.
Making Space for the Future
With a wedding album full of joy and a career rooted in both athleticism and advocacy, Lejarraga hopes his visibility inspires others in the soccer world.
“There has still never been an out gay or bisexual male player in Spain’s top divisions,” he said, acknowledging the long road ahead.
“But hopefully, one day, this won’t even be news anymore.”
Until then, Lejarraga’s love story stands as a powerful reminder: being out and proud can be just as game-changing as any goal.
